A Horrific Murder

Let us hope that 16-year-old Mohammad Abu Khdeir was not killed by a Jew.

If there is one thing we as a nation has experienced this week, it is the searing pain of the heinous murder of a loved one. If 16-year-old Mohammad Abu Khdeir was killed by a Jew seeking revenge, which according to news reports the police suspect but have not yet confirmed, this is a horrific crime that Jews across the spectrum condemn vociferously. Such barbarity can have no foothold in our nation.

As Naftali Frankel’s uncle, Yishai Frankel, said on Israeli television, "Any act of revenge of any kind whatsoever is completely inappropriate and wrong. Murder is murder. One should not differentiate between bloods, be it Arab or Jew.”

The police do not yet know what happened and we cannot rush to conclusions. Rumors are swirling; it may have been an honor killing. It would be utterly shocking if a Jew would do something like this.

It is instructive to note the immediate reactions to the murder in Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed shock and outrage, telling the police to expedite the investigation into the “abominable murder.” Leaders from across the political spectrum denounced the murder, and citizens expressed sheer disbelief that a Jew could commit such a crime. There was no dancing in the streets, no passing out candies, no celebratory high-fives. Just shock and outrage at this abhorrent act.

Now compare the reaction on the Arab street to the murders of Naftali, Gilad and Eyal. Instead of shock and horror, there was celebration and the making of two new heroes.

The past few weeks the Jewish nation unified in prayer, abiding faith and love, and the additional performance of mitzvot, demonstrating the heart and soul of the nation. This is who we truly are. We are a people who sanctify life. We dare not descend to the level of barbarity so commonly seen by those who worship death.

Let us hope that the police investigation reveals that Jews are not behind this heinous crime.

Visitor Comments: 44

(31)
David,
July 7, 2014 10:35 PM

Unfortunate comment

Your headline states we should hope it wasn't a Jew who did the killing. A boy is dead, The party or parties will be found and punished according to the law, the same law for all citizens of Israel. No matter if the victim is this or that, or the killer is this or that. If we are going to hope for something, let's hope for HaShems guidance and assistance to make Israel the place it should be: A homeland for a righteous people. Disappointed in your comment.

Jon Kurovsky,
July 19, 2014 7:56 AM

Really, the same law??

"the same law for all citizens of Israel" ?? How is this, Jew's serve in the military, does everyone in Israel? If a Jew builds a home on property, with a receipt of purchase and an Arab states it was his great, great grandfathers, the Jew will now be allow use of that property, ever. If he built on it, it will be destroyed. Yet we have tens of thousands of Arab homes built and left alone? Arab throws a rocks, Jew, who may have been hit, it told by Israeli police, he should leave since he's causing a problem, by being Jewish, in Israel. The same law? Israelis pay tax, fee's, Arabs, well known for not paying for basic services, which won't be turned off, since it would look bad. The Jew that doesn't pay, service is shut off. One of my biggest complaints of our home land is that a Jewish home land, where the law is not applied fairly, for a people ruled by Torah, which I pray we are, seems wrong and corrupt. How can we be the light, when our own Judges are so often against us, the Jews. No my friend, not the same law, not the same everyone.

(30)
Allen Z. Hertz,
July 7, 2014 3:38 PM

Same standard for Jewish crimes and other crimes

There has been a truly horrific killing by some vengeful Jews. In this context, it is important to remember the dictum that, from the perspective of modern human-rights methodologies, the meaning of "antisemitism" includes: "persistently targeting Jews and/or Israel and persistently applying to Jews and/or Israel a standard more exigent than regularly applied to other people and countries, in the same or similar circumstances." Premeditated murder is most assuredly a heinous crime in every country. A murder motivated by religious and/or nationalistic passion is no less blameworthy. We would not want to excuse an horrific murder, committed by Jews any more than we would want to excuse a similar or identical crime committed by others. But, there is certainly no reason to rush about placing extra emphasis on our natural repugnance for such a truly terrible crime, just because the perpetrators are Jews. A murder is a murder is a murder!

(29)
jacob,
July 7, 2014 3:15 AM

Our call to greatness: unity & emuna, instead of hatred.

if indeed Jews have committed this murder, and unfortunately, it unfortunately seems to look more and more that that might be the case, we must conclude that the perpetrators have not acted in the spirit of Torah Judaism, and that they have not only destroyed a unique life, i.e. Hashem's creation, but that they have brought great shame & sadness upon us. Whatever political motives they might hold, whatever circumstances (our murdered 3 boys) might explain such a taste for vengeance, there can be no excuse to act like our enemies. The IDF & responsible justice institutions need to offer a resolute and strong response. It is not up to us to act upon our emotions and instinct: we are not animals. Instead, we must pray for the neshamot of our 3 boys, their family, as well as for this Arab boy and his relatives, and the unity of our people. It is through our humanism, our unity and devotion to Hashem that we, as Jews, have survived all empires that sought to annihilate us, In these hours of crisis -a 3rd intifada looming-, that Hashem calls upon us to act without greatness. The challenge Hashem has set before us can be overcome, by reacting with grace, emuna, and love, instead of giving in to our instincts of hatred, violence and stupidity. Even if this is a difficult challenge, it is one that can bring us closer to Hashem, closer as a united people….The 18 days of the 3 boys's disappearance were our finest hours: prayer & unity. Let' continue on that path..

gloria,
July 8, 2014 5:06 PM

Amen!! love your response!!

He is The Judge and therefore we must Not allow our emotions get in the way. Many are quick to be so politically -correct they quickly point out the ifs and buts..thank God we are Not the Supreme Judge and trust in Him for His Justice to prevail. <3 Israel has a right to defend itself and the whole world needs to learn from such a valuable lesson they teach us on "how to love our enemies"...they have lived it long enough. Lord have mercy. <3

(28)
Sharona,
July 7, 2014 3:09 AM

We don't know who did it. But none the less, it was terrible act to attack an arab boy. While we definitely need to get rid of Hamas, people shouldn't just hurt anyone. It's not the Jewish way. We respect life. Lets focus on getting rid of Hamas(who hurts both Israel and Palestinians) so people can live in peace

(27)
yehudit,
July 6, 2014 8:00 PM

correct analysis of situation…..

As abhorent a thought it is to consider a Jew being responsible for the killing, Rabbi Coopersmith is right in saying that even before the truth in known we Jews should be on record condemning that same thought. Waiting and seeing shows that the thought is not offensive to us, only the act itself, if proven. Rabbi Coopersmith took it one step further and preempted our "national outrage on demand" by bringing it one step forward: condemning the very concept of a revenge killing from the Torah point of view and the Jewish national point of view.As it has turned out, the worst HAS occurred: it WAS a group of Jewish extremists. Rabbi Coppersmith and AISH brought a small measure of dignity and righteousness to the Jewish People by refusing to wait and see ….. and condemned the act outright, not as a reaction. Kol Hakavod.

(26)
Anonymous,
July 6, 2014 4:32 PM

Shameful

It's hard to express how terrible this article is.

A boy was brutally murdered. You just condemn it. That's all. Then you give us some words of Torah. That's what you do, no?

Finding out who murdered him doesn't change the horrors of his death.

You really should be ashamed of this.

Anonymous,
July 7, 2014 5:48 PM

Your comment is shameful, not the rabbi's article

"You just condemn it." Did you hear any condemnation from the Muslim-Arabs over the murder of the 3 Jewish boys - or was it celebration? What exactly did you expect the rabbi to do? What should he be ashamed of? His article was pitch perfect. Only a respectful person can learn, it seems.

picture of murdered Arab teen celebrating the kidnapping and murder of the 3 Jewish teens

Not to justify his murder - here is a photo of the murdered Arab teen celebrating the abduction and murder of the 3 Jewish teens, featured on a facebook page commemorating him: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202524004558264&set=a.1407264138524.2053246.1140044373&type=1

ZionistJew,
July 7, 2014 4:11 PM

That's like adding however to an apology

This is not appropriate here. Condemning the murder while trying to prove your moral superiority in general wrong and I am sick of hearing it and seeing it. Condemning it is what should be done. Period. End of story.

Anonymous,
July 7, 2014 6:23 PM

Not appropriate

Correct, Moreover, Pictures can be so easily manipulated, we should know that.

Anonymous,
July 8, 2014 3:12 AM

This is relevant information

The original comment said and implied nothing about moral superiority. I hear much moral superiority in the statement from ZionistJew. As for me, I find the information interesting and relevant. No, it does not excuse murder. But now it appears this young man was not the equivalent of a yeshiva student of a different ethnicity. He apparently rejoiced in the suffering of others. That is worth knowing and pondering.

(24)
Jakob F.,
July 6, 2014 3:50 PM

Unjustified murder of innocent

There's no justification for the murder of the innocent Arab boy just as there's no justification of any kind to the terrorist act against the 3 boys. Whoever did this should be judged asap. The fast and irresponsible conclusions that the Arabs took show their incapabality of restraint like us. Why didn't they wait for results? And if the police show that it was an internal Arab conflict, why react like savages and burn cars, train stations and confront police? And if not, still, it would be something etraordinary and not our Jewish culture. In the last 60 years, it's always the Arabs stabbing, killing and damaging us in Israel. If it were Syria or elsewhere, they would be treated like enemies. Check out what's going around Israel. Remember, we are the civilized country in the Middle East.

(23)
Anonymous,
July 6, 2014 1:56 PM

Let's be realistic

I hope and pray that young Arab boy was not murdered by Jews. But some of the above comments are naive. Of course some Jews are capable of doing that. Have we forgotten Baruch Goldstein's murder of 29 Arabs praying in a mosque?

(22)
Anonymous,
July 6, 2014 7:18 AM

Irresposible media

The incredible, gross irresponsibility of the media must also me condemned! It is totally unacceptable given the current situation to report speculation as fact. Once it is confirmed that this horrific murder was in fact a criminal act with no connection to revenge - what then? Will the media be so aggressive to report the truth? Will they come and clean up and pay for all the damage caused by the rioting? Will anyone care about the truth at that point?

(21)
Anonymous,
July 4, 2014 6:51 PM

Agree with Hector

I also fully believe that Hamas killed the boy to make it look like revenge by the Jews. I don't think any Jew would have done that- we as a people do not do things like that. Hamas does not care for the value of a life- whether it is a Jew or an Arab.

(20)
Sheila Deutsch,
July 4, 2014 5:50 PM

It is still not known who killed this Arab boy. Until it is we Jews should stop saying Al Chait.

(19)
Shraga,
July 4, 2014 1:31 AM

shkoyach

Very important message to state clearly and unequivocally. Yasher koach to the Editor for posting this so quickly.

(18)
Hector Olivera,
July 3, 2014 9:34 PM

Perhaps what seems obvious is deceiving

I would not be surprised if it turns out that Hammas killed the arab teenager to make it look as if done as a revengeby Jews, which I find inconceivable.

(17)
Konrad Yona Riggenmann,
July 3, 2014 8:26 PM

Thanks for this clear Jewish statement

Rabbi Coopersmith's comment after the murder of sixteen-year-old Mohammad Abu Khdeir, apparently committed in revenge by Jewish hands, is quite precise: "It would be utterly shocking if a Jew would do something like this." Unfortunately, after the three boys' and before the one boy's death, I found very different, allegedly Jewish and outspoken pro-avenge statements on this website, while the general news I received here in Brazil left me with the impression that the coldblooded killing of the three boys had left Israeli society rampant with fierce calls for revenge. And this was no less shocking to me than the assassination of the four teenagers.

(16)
Maz,
July 3, 2014 8:11 PM

Begs the question

All of this is all well and good, but the question still remains: how do we deal with a people that celebrate the murders of Jews everywhere and that are guaranteed reward for killing Jews?

(15)
Anonymous,
July 3, 2014 7:38 PM

Agree but premature

I agree with your point and understand why you wrote it, but I think you should have waited until the identity of the murderer was clarified. The very fact that you entertain the possibility that the murderer was a Jew is an insult to our people, especially if it becomes clear that it was an honor killing or the like. If, chas veshalom, it is found out that it was a Jew, then articles like this are not only appropriate, but absolutely necessary. Until then, let's not be chosheid be'kesharim (see Shabbat 97a, line #9 - a word to the wise...).

Aharon Levine,
July 4, 2014 9:56 AM

Agree with Anonymous

As long as it hasn't been confirmed that this wasn't simply an honour killing, I feel that even mentioning this murder is a shocking insult to the 3 families of our holy boys (and all the rest of Am Yisrael) whom are still reeling from the current tragedy. Especially since the secular media have so emphasized this murder in order to intentially globalize and water down our pain

(14)
Anonymous,
July 3, 2014 5:43 PM

Time to face the truth

Most likely it is a revenge killing done by some Jews. Every Society has its nut fringe, so does Israel, but the fringe of extremists is growing and unless we face that fact, unless we make it a crime and prosecute anyone who yells "Death to the Arabs" we will not be able to contain this growing Problem. Nethermind what the other side does, we must ensure that our value system as a whole survives intact. No, by such action we have to realise Jews too are fully capable of racism etc. Not surprising - we are just humans and per se no different than anyone.

(13)
Craig Shere,
July 3, 2014 5:39 PM

That a Jew could commit murder

This is a well written article that appropriately expresses shock & outrage over the murder of a 16 yr old Palestinian boy. I realize that Palestinians/Muslims who express sympathies with or appreciation for Israel can literally be taking their lives into their hands (due to death threats from Palestinian peers). But it was a Jew who murdered the Prime Minister after the initial peace treaty signed with the Palestinians. There has also been many documented online calls by some Israelis (including in the IDF) for revenge killing. The idea that under the circumstances "It would be utterly shocking if a Jew would do something like this" is, in my view, a bit of a stretch. Also believe that excessive self-adulation (we're good and holy, they are evil and murderers) does little to improve the future for the children and grandchildren on both sides. This is not an issue of some contorted moral equivalency (wrong is wrong, regardless of how politically correct "liberals" may wish to couch it). But it would seem to me that the more spiritually elevated a person/people, the more humble they become and the more aware they are of their own faults/shortcomings. It is fair to point out the broader cultural differences/reactions. But there were even Jews who served the Nazis as kapos in the concentration camps. Some cultures on average generate better behavior/people, but as Victor Frankl notes in his book "Man's Search for Meaning," there really are only two races of men, the barbarian and the saint, and they exist in every nation, group and class, and unmask themselves when the going gets tough.

Anonymous,
July 3, 2014 10:07 PM

Nevertheless . . .

As Golda Meir famously observed, If the Arabs put down their weapons, there would be peace; if the Jews put down their weapons, there would be a bloodbath.

(12)
Joseph Apicella,
July 3, 2014 4:58 PM

Even if we are not Jews Judism rubs off on -Thank G-d

My Dear Rabbi: My comments have been accepted by AISH and the Aish rabbis have answered my query. Some times we disagree. The strength of the Jewish faith is that iit accepts different thoughts without violence. When violence occurs it is condemned I realize when I take issue with Israel I will be debated not killed. Thank you for your insights..

(11)
Rachel,
July 3, 2014 3:10 PM

Find all the murderers, mourn all the victims

People who murder children belong in prison for a long time.

May the family of Mohamed Abu Khadeir be comforted in their horrific loss.

(10)
Anonymous,
July 3, 2014 2:51 PM

Let's not jump to conclusions!

We are all reeling from the murders of our boys and therefore probably not going to react to other events with the greatest of wisdom and tact but it is important that we not jump to conclusions. We have been cautioned by Govt officials and the police to not even being talking about the possibility that the death of this Arab young man, was by a Jew. He and his family had a long violent, criminal record with the authorities and there is a lot of doubt and details yet to be dealt with. It is very damaging to even suggest that it might be a revenge murder. Let's wait for the investigation to be completed before we write about or discuss this possibility. Right now is the season to mourn the tragic loss of our boys and to support the families.

(9)
Anonymous,
July 3, 2014 2:43 PM

The Glaring Contrast

Rabbi, your point is well taken about the glaring contrast to the crimes of murder between the Jews and Palestinians. There is almost universal anguish among Jews that one of our own might be guilty. There was almost universal pride and joy among the Palestinians that their "heroic" warriors were able to execute with such derring-do the kidnapping and killing of three teenagers.

We should also not overlook the hypocrisy of the world at large, who give far more attention to the killing of any Palestinian than to the killing of any Jew. Israel is consistently criticized for its so-called disproportionate responses to Palestinian terror. Well, using their twisted calculus, a proportionate response to the murder of three Jewish teenagers should be the murder of three Palestinian teenagers. According to their logic, rather than criticizing Israel, the world should be insisting that we are owed two more.

(8)
Yehudith Shraga,
July 3, 2014 2:40 PM

What is the true meaning of" Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye etc."

Our sages teach, that Written Torah may not be understood without the explanations of Oral Torah and the comments of our Sages! The person who acts out of his illiteracy is a shame for all the nation and the one who's actions endanger the well being of his people, makes Hillul haShem and Hillul of the Holy Torah.Torah orders us "to show no pity" in condemning and correction of our low instincts and desires, which is clearly may not be reached through the barbarian acts of taking somebody's eye or tooth out. Kal veHome'r there is no way the Torah would teach to perform physical murder.

Some Sages say that the meaning of the "life for life, eye for eye" should be understood in the terms of monetary payment, others ask a question, why the Torah then speaks in "life for life" expression anyway, and they explain, that paying the money ONLY for the damage one has inflicted to the other is not enough, because the Creator wishes us to learn the real WRONG behind our act of DESTRACTION. The G-d wishes us to understand, what it means to be without eye and how it effects all the rest of the life of a person.

The Torah orders Life for Life, it doesn't order murder for murder, which means that those who have murdered another person, should LIVE and DEDICATE all their LIVES to their personal correction and TO THE WORK FOR THE BENIFIT OF THE PEOPLE IN NEED, because the Gemara(Ta'anit 22 a-b) says, that only those who work for the benefit of the community go straight to the World to Come, all the rest has to rectify their sins first, which means that those who have taken others Lives can receive the right for their own life through their Repentance and constant efforts to better the lives of others still alive: to help them, to care for them, to learn to love them.

Life for Life means save the Lives which you can still save!, Be the eye, tooth, hand for those who needs. IT IS THE ONLY TRUE TSHUVA and THE TRUE MEANING OF THE WORDS OF TORAH!

(7)
Katy Mc Dowell,
July 3, 2014 2:22 PM

My sincere condolences to all the families who have lost their children to such insanity! And for the exposure of all truth and justice by the Almighty as man is limited. Such disturbing behavior. What a wonderful world it would be if people could just be kinder to each other and enjoy their life and be allowed to live the way they choose

(6)
Anonymous,
July 3, 2014 2:15 PM

Are we different?

Are we different?
The news was not sure if an Arab or if it was a right wing settler התנחל Israeli in revenge. Why did they think an Isaeli might have done it because of all the news about the three captured and killed Jewish boys. A more likely person to be up in the Arab town at 4 am during Ramadan? A more likely place for right winger settlers would have been near a settlement and no need to go to a forest and burn the boy? It is possible that there are some Jews that are crazy, but what is more possible is there is anti-semitism. This is no new phenomina-blood libels. The world condemned the three kidnapping and killing , but was it front page news? No, this was front page news around the world. I believe that this would not have been front page news had the police and Israel responded differently. We have a bit of anti-semitism - hatred to our fellow Jews. The world just says the messages that G-d is trying to teachWe dont believe we are different. We cant believe that there is a difference in the behavior and values of most Jews and most Arabs. Those mothers in so much pain reached out with nobility to others and encouraged the Jews to unite with mitzvot and prayer. We need to be confident in who we are and take each oppurtunity to unite!

(5)
Anonymous,
July 3, 2014 2:03 PM

we need more facts

This was a heinous act NO MATTER WHO committed it, but would it be too much to ask for people to refrain from making assumptions about who killed him and why until we have more facts? There is a lot missing in this story and despite the immediate worldwide gleeful embracing of the narrative of a Jewish revenge killing, there is absolutely no proof that this was done by Jews. Almost no play has been given to the very real possibility (probability?) that this was perpetrated by Arabs and not Jews. Notice too how the world's attention was immediately deflected by this from the despicable murder of three Jewish teens by Hamas operatives. One might be amazed by the felicitous PR coup. If in fact it was Jews who did this (and I am more than a little skeptical based on the few actual facts I have seen in the news), I will be the first to condemn the act, but wouldn't it be even more despicable if Arabs did this to their own and then cynically exploited it to turn the world's attention from their other recent murder of teens?

nechemia coopersmith,
July 3, 2014 2:19 PM

i hope you are right

I also can't believe a jew would do this. but we need to make it clear that if there is a chance a jew did [which unfortunately right now police are saying] we need to on record condemning it. Our silence would give the wrong message. But of course we cannot assume it was a jew

Anonymous,
July 3, 2014 3:38 PM

I share your hope

But as The Times of Israel reports today, a number of Israeli soldiers have posted threats (all it takes is one to pull the trigger), not to mention Israeli settlers and other civilians outraged and disgusted with the Palestinian perception that they can murder Jews with impunity:

I am shocked that you would even think a Jew may have been responsible for this! Until we hear the results of the police investigation, we Jews should be the last people to even allow for the possibility. Just look at how the boy was treated? Firstly, what kind of Jew would kill an innocent? Secondly, what kind of Jew would burn a body? This has all the hallmarks of an Islamic honour killing.I will not even consider the possibility that this was done by a Jew unless and until it is first confirmed by an independent investigation.

Anonymous,
July 3, 2014 5:21 PM

R' Coppersmith did not...

He did not judge the murder to have been committed by a Jew, c"v. That judgement is up to the police, courts, and of course Ha'dayan Ha'emes.

But revenge murders are a violation of at least two or more Torah prohibitions (murder, revenge, aggrieving strangers within your borders, and bringing desecration to Hashem's name).

R' Coppersmith is reminding us that we have an obligation to Hashem to behave as he intended us. Do we have a right to feel pain over our loss? Absolutely. Do we have a right to inflict that pain on others, even if we feel that they deserve it? The Torah says no.

StanleyTee,
July 3, 2014 6:51 PM

You miss my point

I'm not saying that the Rabbi is accusing Jews. I am saying that I'm shocked he would even consider the possibility. Let's stop all the speculation and JUST WAIT until we know for sure!

(3)
John Wakefield,
July 3, 2014 1:51 PM

Murder is murder

Congratulations to Israel for showing itself far above the level of its detractors.I mourn the loss of this young man and ask the Lord for comfort and inner peace for his family.What a tragic and senseless act!

(2)
Inbar,
July 3, 2014 1:32 PM

let's stay true to who we are even when emotions run high

The families who are hit hardest have been our example of the highest, most elevated behaviour a Jewish soul can reach. Here, too, they model exemplary behaviour.

If this Arab young man was really murdered by a Jew, it means that this murderer is so estranged from his Jewish heritage, that he follows the example of hatefilled non-Jews.Some people want to murder us because of who we are as Jews. Why do the same to others?

If you insist on revenge, what do you want to achieve? What is the best way to avenge them?3 Lives are cut short, their children and grandchildren will not be born. The mitsvot they would have done, now are not. Sould we copy hatefilled Arabs, who murder others simply because of who they are? Because they want a world without Jews and Jewishness? We can copy their example only at the price of making ourselves less Jewish, and frustrating the Jewish people in its mission.We can, though, frustrate their aim: fewer Jews and less Jewish religious life in the world. We can do this by strenghtening our unity, by adding some of the mitsvot the boys and their descendants would have done. Even if you are not religious, is it against your principles to be kind to other people? To give people the benefit of the doubt, to refrain from speaking or listening to gossip and slander? To think of ways in which we can improve our world in line with Jewish principles? And then to act on what you thought of? To help people who have arguments make peace with each other? To even end feuds?By doing this together we make sure that their murderers get the opposite of what they want. We act in a way that is in line with the life choices these 3 boys already made.And even more: we are actively working for the success of the Jewish mission. If any revenge is needed, bringing Moshiach is the sweetest revenge of all!

(1)
Anonymous,
July 3, 2014 1:30 PM

Great!

This is really great! Thank you so much for posting it. May G-d bring justice and peace to the Holy Land and to all the world speedily and soon!

I'm told that it's a mitzvah to become intoxicated on Purim. This puzzles me, because to my understanding, it is not considered a good thing to become intoxicated, period.

One of the characteristics of the at-risk youth is their use of drugs, including alcohol. In my experience, getting drunk doesn't reveal secrets. It makes people act stupid and irresponsible, doing things they would never do if they were sober. Also, I know a lot about the horrible health effects of abusing alcohol, because I work at a research center that focuses on addiction and substance abuse.

Also, I am an alcoholic, which means that if I drink, very bad things happen. I have not had a drink in 22 years, and I have no intention of starting now. Surely there must be instances where a person is excused from the obligation to drink. I don't see how Judaism could ever promote the idea of getting drunk. It just doesn't seem right.

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Putting aside for a moment all the spiritual and philosophical reasons for getting drunk on Purim, this remains an issue of common sense. Of course, teenagers should be warned of the dangers of acute alcohol ingestion. Of course, nobody should drink and drive. Of course, nobody should become so drunk to the point of negligence in performing mitzvot. And of course, a recovering alcoholic should not partake of alcohol on Purim.

Indeed, the Code of Jewish Law explicitly says that if one suspects the drinking may affect him negatively, then he should NOT drink.

Getting drunk on Purim is actually one of the most difficult mitzvot to do correctly. A person should only drink if it will lead to positive spiritual results - e.g. under the loosening affect of the alcohol, greater awareness will surface of the love for God and Torah found deep in the heart. (Perhaps if we were on a higher spiritual level, we wouldn't need to get drunk!)

Yet the Talmud still speaks of an obligation on Purim of "not knowing the difference between Blessed is Mordechai and Cursed is Haman." How then should a person who doesn't drink get the point of “not knowing”? Simple - just go to sleep! (Rama - OC 695:2)

All this applies to individuals. But the question remains - does drinking on Purim adversely affect the collective social health of the Jewish community?

The aversion to alcoholism is engrained into Jewish consciousness from a number of Biblical and Talmudic sources. There are the rebuking words of prophets - Isaiah 28:1, Hosea 3:1 with Rashi, and Amos 6:6, and the Zohar says that "The wicked stray after wine" (Midrash Ne'alam Parshat Vayera).

It is well known that the rate of alcoholism among Jews has historically been very low. Numerous medical, psychological and sociological studies have confirmed this. The connection between Judaism and sobriety is so evident, that the following conversation is reported by Lawrence Kelemen in "Permission to Receive":

When Dr. Mark Keller, editor of the Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol, commented that "practically all Jews do drink, and yet all the world knows that Jews hardly ever become alcoholics," his colleague, Dr. Howard Haggard, director of Yale's Laboratory of Applied Physiology, jokingly proposed converting alcoholics to the Jewish religion in order to immerse them in a culture with healthy attitudes toward drinking!

Perhaps we could suggest that it is precisely because of the use of alcohol in traditional ceremonies (Kiddush, Bris, Purim, etc.), that Jews experience such low rates of alcoholism. This ceremonial usage may actually act like an inoculation - i.e. injecting a safe amount that keeps the disease away.

Of course, as we said earlier, all this needs to be monitored with good common sense. Yet in my personal experience - having been in the company of Torah scholars who were totally drunk on Purim - they acted with extreme gentleness and joy. Amid the Jewish songs and beautiful words of Torah, every year the event is, for me, very special.

Adar 12 marks the dedication of Herod's renovations on the second Holy Temple in Jerusalem in 11 BCE. Herod was king of Judea in the first century BCE who constructed grand projects like the fortresses at Masada and Herodium, the city of Caesarea, and fortifications around the old city of Jerusalem. The most ambitious of Herod's projects was the re-building of the Temple, which was in disrepair after standing over 300 years. Herod's renovations included a huge man-made platform that remains today the largest man-made platform in the world. It took 10,000 men 10 years just to build the retaining walls around the Temple Mount; the Western Wall that we know today is part of that retaining wall. The Temple itself was a phenomenal site, covered in gold and marble. As the Talmud says, "He who has not seen Herod's building, has never in his life seen a truly grand building."

Some people gauge the value of themselves by what they own. But in reality, the entire concept of ownership of possessions is based on an illusion. When you obtain a material object, it does not become part of you. Ownership is merely your right to use specific objects whenever you wish.

How unfortunate is the person who has an ambition to cleave to something impossible to cleave to! Such a person will not obtain what he desires and will experience suffering.

Fortunate is the person whose ambition it is to acquire personal growth that is independent of external factors. Such a person will lead a happy and rewarding life.

With exercising patience you could have saved yourself 400 zuzim (Berachos 20a).

This Talmudic proverb arose from a case where someone was fined 400 zuzim because he acted in undue haste and insulted some one.

I was once pulling into a parking lot. Since I was a bit late for an important appointment, I was terribly annoyed that the lead car in the procession was creeping at a snail's pace. The driver immediately in front of me was showing his impatience by sounding his horn. In my aggravation, I wanted to join him, but I saw no real purpose in adding to the cacophony.

When the lead driver finally pulled into a parking space, I saw a wheelchair symbol on his rear license plate. He was handicapped and was obviously in need of the nearest parking space. I felt bad that I had harbored such hostile feelings about him, but was gratified that I had not sounded my horn, because then I would really have felt guilty for my lack of consideration.

This incident has helped me to delay my reactions to other frustrating situations until I have more time to evaluate all the circumstances. My motives do not stem from lofty principles, but from my desire to avoid having to feel guilt and remorse for having been foolish or inconsiderate.

Today I shall...

try to withhold impulsive reaction, bearing in mind that a hasty act performed without full knowledge of all the circumstances may cause me much distress.

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